With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 34

Later that day, Natsu decided to check up on Erza since he hadn't seen her in a while. As expected, he found her in the lab, trying to perfect the miracle drug she had discovered.

"What's up, doc?" Natsu asked as he walked into the room.

"I'm not a doctor yet, Natsu," she replied with a smile.

"Well, you might as well be. You're just as brilliant and intelligent as Professor Clive."

"Thank you."

"So, where's your boyfriend? Out hunting or something?"

"Not exactly. Jellal's decided to live here with me, so he's gone back to Galuna Island to get his things. Once I finish my education, we can get married and start our lives together."

"You're engaged?"

"I've been engaged for half a year now. He asked me sometime before the whole craziness with the drug affected him, but insisted we wait until I graduate."

"Well, I'm happy for you, but are you sure you want to marry this guy? He's a little... nuts."

"Believe me, Natsu, if you knew him before he contracted that disease, you'd understand. He's very sweet, understanding, and kind. By the way, I can't thank you and Gray enough for helping me cure him. I don't think he would have become the man I love again without you two."

"Don't mention it. You help us all the time. It's only natural we help you however we can."

"Speaking of 'we,' where's Gray?"

"He's spying on Juvia's date."

"Why?"

"He says he thinks her date might be Black Demon, but I think it's because he's jealous."

"But I thought he didn't want a relationship with her?"

"That's what he says. Sometimes, I don't understand Gray at all."

"I'm sure you're not alone in that."

They talked for an hour, and then Natsu left Erza's lab, making his way back toward his dorm room. But before he could make it halfway across campus, a sudden explosion shattered the evening calm.

BOOM!

The shockwave rattled nearby windows, and a familiar, chilling laugh echoed through the night air.

Black Demon.

Natsu's eyes widened. Without hesitation, he ducked into the nearest alley and quickly changed into his costume. Then Red Dragon raced across rooftops, flames in his hands as he tracked the destruction to its source: another chemical factory on the city's edge. Black Demon was already there, loading canisters and volatile materials into a stolen military truck.

"Hey!" Natsu yelled, charging at him.

But before he could land a hit, Black Demon hurled strange metallic devices—splicers—which erupted into high-tension cables that shot out and pinned Natsu to the wall like a bug under glass.

"I knew you'd come," Black Demon cackled. "And I'm so glad you came alone. I've been dying to talk... privately."

"What do you want, freak? If this is about that stupid offer you made—"

"Oh no, no. Not that," he interrupted, shaking his head with a low chuckle. "This time, you might even call it... good news."

"I doubt that."

"Just shut up and listen," Black Demon snapped, his voice turning cold and clinical. "I've finished most of my business... for now. So I'm taking a little vacation. A leave of absence, you might say."